Findings from the 'Ask Me About PrEP' HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Awareness Programme in England.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Social Science

Background:

• HIV incidence in England has declined significantly since 2019.
• Despite PrEP's success in reducing HIV transmission, awareness and access remain barriers for many.
• Targeted dissemination of PrEP information is crucial for further prevention efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a national peer-to-peer diffusion model for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) information dissemination in England.
• To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the Ask Me About PrEP (AMAP) pilot program.
• To identify key themes and experiences from volunteer mobilisers and project staff.

Main Methods:

• A 5-month pilot program (AMAP) utilizing volunteer mobilisers to share PrEP information within their communities.
• Focus group discussions with 12 volunteer mobilisers and 5 project staff members.
• Descriptive statistical analysis of volunteer recruitment, demographics, attrition, and project impact.

Main Results:

• 96 volunteers were recruited and trained as mobilisers.
• Mobilisers engaged in 11,889 peer conversations about PrEP through various channels.
• Focus groups identified key themes including motivations, training, activity, and support.

Conclusions:

• Peer-to-peer diffusion models are an acceptable and effective public health intervention for increasing HIV PrEP awareness.
• The AMAP pilot demonstrated the potential of community-based approaches to reach unreached populations.
• Volunteer-led initiatives can successfully disseminate vital health information within communities.